UNVEILING OF THE FEATHERSTON BUST.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5051, 1 June 1877, Page 3

UNVEILING OF THE FEATHERSTON BUST.

This interesting ceremony was performed in the Colonial Museum, on the 24th of May, at three o'clock in the afternoon. The Museum was crowded in every part, and it was quite impossible to find convenient sittingroom for many. Those who occupied, the galleries had decidedly the best view, and there very many persons stationed in this part of the building. The bust has been erected on a pedestal just inside the main entrance of the Museum, and was draped with a Union Jack. A dais ran round the pedestal, on which accommodation was prepared for his Excellency the Governor, and the Misses' Featherston and Mrs. Charles Johnston, Sir Wm. Fitzberbert, Mr. Woodward, and Dr. Buller. Near the dais were the Hon. Dr. Pollen, Mr. G. Hunter, M.H.K.; his Honor the Chief Justice, Mr. Justice Johnston, Mi. Justice Williams, Mr. Justice Richmond, Hon. John Johnston, Hon. W. Gisborue, M.H.E.; Hon. W. B. Rhodes, M.L.C. ; Hon. M. Holmes, M.L.C. ; Mr. TV. T. L. Travels, M.H.K.; Hon. M. S. Grace, M.L.C; Mr. Brandon, M.H.K., and others. His Excellency the Governor was received by a guard of honor formed of the City Kifles, and on his entrance to the hall the band struck up the National Anthem, and he was conducted to his seat by Mr. Woodward and Mr. J. G. Holdsworth. His Excellency : Misses Featherston, Ladies, and Gentlemen, —It affords me, I assure you, infinite gratification to be present on this occasion, when we are met together to pay a traceful tribute to the memory of one of the oldest settlers of this colony, and who from the earliest days of his arrival devoted his best energies and talent 3 to the development of this now rising and great country. In all matters of a political character it is natural that there should be differences of opinion, and it is not unlikely that some may have differed from the views entertained by Dr. Featherston during his lifetime ; but of this I am sure, that he succeeded in gaining the regard and respect of those among whom he worked, and the love and affection of those who were his intimate friends. There is perhaps hardly a higher object to be attained by a politician than this —to gain the esteem of the general public, and the affection of those who are more intimate with him. Those who are only acquainted with this country in its present civilised state can form but a small idea of the difficulties, the anxieties, and the obstacles which opposed themselves to the earlier settlers. In the days when Dr. Featherston first arrived in this country—and I think I am not mistaken when I say it was in the year 1840—thi3 place must have offered a very different view to that which it now presents to us. In those days the town, if it could be so called, consisted simply of a few scattered cottages ; there was no communication between this and the Hutt; a visit to Karori would offer a 3 much difficulty in those days as a journey now of much further distance, and the means of communication with other parts of the colony were such that a visit to another port would offer as great difficulties and occupy a longer period than a journey to the mother country would probably now require. Dr. Foatherstbn had all these difficulties to contend with, but from the first he exerted his great energies towards improving and developing the country. On the introduction of constitutional government he was elected Superintendent of this province of Wellington, a situation which he held until he left this country for England. He was also elected a member of the Parliament of New Zealand, and he retained his seat till he retired for tho same purpose. He held high office in, I believe, two Governments, and from first to last he took a very active and energetic part in the politics of the day. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think these are circumstances which well deserved to bo commemorated by those colonists of the present day. Not only did Dr. Featherston evince this energy in civil life; but when, unhappily, war raged in various parts of the colony he also proved himself to be a soldier of no small reputation. His influence among the natives of New Zealand enabled him to do great service in the district, and one has only to read the account given by General Chute, to find him exhibiting in the field the same energy, coupled with courage, as he had shown in the Cabinet. There is nothing more valuable to a country, whether old or new, than the character and position of those who lead her in her political life, and if it is well in an old country I think it is so more especially in a young country, that where a servant has been found to serve his country well his memory should be handed down to posterity with honor.ind with distinction. I therefore rejoice at being present on this occasion, when a statue of Dr. Featherston is to bo unveiled, and I trust that in future generations to come, v;hcn tho young men of Wellington, and of New Zealand generally, who visit this building, see this statue and ask the meaning of It, the history they will be told will stimulate their energies and activity, so that they may follow the example set before their eyes by one of the oldest settlers. (Applause.) I have slightly glanced back at the position in which Dr. Featherston found Wellington—for I can hardly give it the name of city in those days—when lie first arrived. Let us now look at the present position of Wellington. From day to day it is increasing in size, and while in the early days of Dr. Feathorston's residence hero the arrival of a vessel from England must have been an epoch by which to mark the events of the year, now tho daily arrivals of vessels from all. parts is so common that it attracts little or no attention. Then, as I said before, a visit to the extremities of the colony | was a matter of no little danger and dilfieulty; now it is a pleasure trip which all can enjoy. ' The revenues of tho colony now amount to a

sum whicli will compare favorably with those of many of the smaller States in Europe. If such, then, has been the progress of the past thirty-five years, what may we expect to see accomplished in the next thirty-five years. My anticipations of the future of New Zealand, I own, are great ; and I have little fear of their being disappointed. Let the young men of New Zealand persevere, and show the same energy, the same determination, the same industry, that their forefathers have evinced; and I am sure that within a very few years the country will even astonish those who now hold the most hopeful views of her future. (Applause.) I will not detain you longer ; but t may say, that it was unfortunately never my lot to meet the late Dr. Eeatherston, and the remarks I have made have been gathered from public records. I have now to call upon the Chairman of the Committee to make a few remarks. (Applause). Mr. Joxas Woodward : My Lcrd, Misses Eeatherston, Ladies, and Gentlemen, —The committee have, devolved upon me the task—sufficiently pleasant I need not say, yet so onerous that it is no mere form of speech to say that I would much rather have had it fallen to abler bauds than mine. They have devolved upon me the task of describing to you and to the subscribers generally, what has been done, and why it has been done; or, in other words, what has brought us to the event of to-day. When the suggestion was made—and it needed no more than a suggestion—that some memorial should be erected to the memory of one for whom so many had such reverence, a committee was formed to carry out the whole matter—to decide as to the shape if, should take, and so forth. It is for me now to explain what has been done. Various suggestions were made as to the form the memorial should take. A picture was evidently out of the question, because one already existed, which, though it is not one which shows the force and fire of our honored friend as we knew him in later years', is one that sufficiently represents him as some of us remember him twenty or thirty yearsago. Many of us thought of somepublic institution to be called by his name, but it was pointed out with irresistible force that such an institution would involve maintenance, and that probably in the progress of time circumstances might arise which might cause its associations not to be all and always pleasin". A statue was hardly thought of, and this not because of the expense, for I believe that would have been of no moment, if such a mode of perpetuating his memory had been thought desirable; but it was thought, and I quite agreed with the idea, that our present costume, useful as it is, is quite unfit for portrait statuary. So we were almost confined to a bust, because there was a prevalent desire—a desire in which I am sure you will all sympathise—that we should transmit to those who came after us a "counterfeit presentment" of him, in order that all who looked upon him might read his character in his countenance. When this was once resolved upon, it was a matter of gratification to iind that there were artists among us who could execute the work. Naturally, at first we were doubtful as to the ability of local men to perform the work ; bnt we were speedily relieved from the difficulty, for on being invited to visit the studio we were shown just what we wanted. True it was modelled in clay, but the likeness was so faithful that we could have no doubt as to the genius of the artists—and it must be remembered that all they had to go by was a photograph. From this simply, at any rate, they formed their first ideas, which were afterwards improved upon by those who knew our friend. I may mention one curious illustration of the surprise we felt on seeing the bust. When we saw it we jumped to the conclusion that they must have brought the material from Home. We saw it was sculptor's clay that had been jusecl, but when we asked them where it was procured, they said, " We got it from yonder hill." It heeded no more to show us that they were masters of the art. From that model they wrought the work we are about to unveil. It will be a source of great satisfaction to you, Miss Eeatherston, I am sure, to know that no less than four hundred of your late father's fellow-colonists have raised this memorial—from many the small sums of 2s. and 2s. 6d. have been received ; but I think you will agree with me that such exhibit very forcibly the earnestness with which the proposal for a memorial wasreceived. (Applause.) Itisnotaquestion of money. They represent more genuine feeling than twenty times the sum if given by our more fortunate fellow colonists. (Applause.) It would ill become me, even if I were able, to attempt any labored eulogy of him whose impress is upon all our hearts, as your Lordship has already touched upon some of the most aalient points of his career. But you will not be surprised to hear that the remarks you have made have very vividly brought to our minds that which we knew, for 35 years did not pass over without discovering to us qualities in him which may not be understood by those who were not acquainted with him. I should want words were I to attempt to express the personal feelings of regret entertained for our beloved friend by those who were most intimate with him. I might content myself with repeating the expression made use of by one of those plain, honest, sterling men who aredoing and who have done somuchto putanineffaceablemarkforgiod upon the historj of this colony. I met him the morning after the sad news arrived, and he said, " We have lost our friend the Superintendent." Simple words my Lord, but most expressive. No disparagement to his worthy successor—he was still our Superintendent—nay, more—he was " our friend " the Superintendent. My Lord, it is this dual character that endeared him to s» large a number of his fellow-colonists. A 3 you have very properly said, it is probable all may not have agreed with him iu his polities ; for his opinions wore so strong, so advanced, and may I not add so far-seeing, that they were sometimes misunderstood or misrepresented, and for various reasons not always agreed with. Yet many who did not agree with him as a politician loved him as a friend; and many of those who were not favored with his personal acquaintance will honor him for his public career and know him as a politician, and I had almost said, a statesman. My Lord, when I recall the past, when I remember how Dr. Eeatherston, hearing the cry of pain and distress in woman's hour of sorrow in a small vessel tossing on the Manukau bar, with the weather so rough that she could not cross, and he himself suffering from the pain of incipient sea-sickness—how, under these circumstances, he rendered the necessary aid ; we can but feel that lit; was a man who earned the cross of valour years before the time, when lying upon the horse which from weakness he could not sit on, he rode with General Chute from Patea to Taranaki in order to secure the services of the natives, who were ever so willing to follow wherever they were led by " To Kawano Petitoni." There was one other feature of his character which most of us will ever remember, and testify to —his unselfish disinterestedness. (Sir Wli. FITZHERBKIIT : Hear, hear.) Under all circumstances, in every condition, he was ready to work for others, but never thought of himself—always thinking of his duty, thinking of that which he was required to do, regardless altogether of personal ease, and even of personal feeling. In 1843, when the infant settlement of Wellington, which you my Lord have so graphically described, was threatened with a danger whose nature, magniturlo, and imminence we could not fairly estimate, and which our fears probably did" not magnify, when the population turned out that they might protect what I will venture to call their "hearths and homes," then on a cold winter night, with heavy rain and biting south-east winds, shouldering his musket as a private militia-man, Dr. Eeatherston kept guard in the streets, or what arc now the streets, of Wellington. During the six weeks of all but fatal illness which "followerl, wo blamed him for so exposing his valuable life, but after years showed that this was only the outcome of his sterling character. In his view of duty he thought "little even of life itself. My Lord, when we remember that he was always a weakly man—a man who had left England three times that he might escape that terrible scourge consumption, we may well think more of Ids conduct on this occasion than on occasions on winch it oome under the notice of

General Chute. These are the things which recur to our minds, and would do apart from any representation of his form, but yet which urge us to hand down his lineaments to coming fenerations, so that when they look on the sculptured marble they may sec in some measure what "manner of man" he was I (Loud applause.! Miss Featherston then, at the request of Mr. Woodward, advanced forward and drew the flag from the bust. Mr. Bhaxdox, M.H.K., on behalf of the committee, returned thanks to the Misses Featherston for the part they had taken m the ceremony. The Hon. Wl Tako addressed the assemblage in Maori, Dr. Buller, CM. a., kindly consenting to interpret. He said : Your Excellency,—l salute you. I salute the representative of her Majesty the Queen—the living representative of her Majesty. Daughters of Dr. Featherston, I salute you ; daughters of my friend, I salute you. Your late father has departed from amongst us. Ladies and gentlemen, I salute you. Ladies whom I see around me, salutations to you all. I present my congratulations to the gentlemen who are around. Peace to him who has gone. Peace to the Maori chiefs who have gone. I stand alone. I have a word to say to you, ladies and gentlemen, about this man. I cast my eyes back uf on the time when he was made Superintendent of AVellingtou. I well remember it. I and my tribe were among his supporters. I was one of those who assembled to vote for him on that occasion, and during the whole course of his Superiutendency I watched his proceedings, and approved of them. He was not only earnest in buying lands forthepakehas, but was earnest in making roads and bridges, and in improving the country. I bear the memory of Dr. Featherston with me. He was careful in trifling things as well as in large ones. Before he left for England he visited the settlements in the AVairarapa to say good-bye. I have seen none to equal Dr. Featherston. There was a large gathering. At the time of the AVaitara war Dr. Featherston exerted himself on our behalf. At the time of the Kohimarama conference he was again present, and he came to AVaikanae to ask me my opinion on the Waitara war. I told him that my sympathies were with Wi Kingi. I told him I should remain at Waikanae during the whole of that disturbed period, and he paid me several visits. He never appeared to fear, or to be timid. He always came alone. There was much commotion about the position of the Otaki natives, and Dr. Featherston came up to reassure us. During the whole of this period he was building bridges. I have seen none to equal him. He has left behind him in Wellington many traces of his greatness, therefore I ask the public men present to follow his example. I mean except the Governor—we all know he will do what is right. Let the public men follow the example of Dr. Featherston in his greatness and goodness. He was not only a Maori sympathiser, but also bestirred himself for the pakehas. I do not know whether you approve of what I have sahl, nevertheless I have spoken fairly. I will not detain you. My words are short. This is the end of my subject. (Applause.)

Sir William Fitzherbert: Misses Eeatherston, Ladies and Gentlemen, —I have been requested to propose a vote of thanks to his Excellency the Governor for having consented to preside on this occasion. His "Excellency, as we all know, is willing at all times to take an interest in the doings and anything which tends to the welfare of the people, and I can assure him that the people appreciate his kindness. His Excellency has made some remarks on the character of the man whose statue we have unveiled to-day—remarks such as one would make upon an unknown man, a man whom we had read and heard of, but had never seen and conversed with in the flesh. His Excellency honored this great man—-a man who I venture to say has made a deeper and a more lasting, and a better mark upon the history of New Zealand than any other man who has yet been amongst us. (Applause.) A man who lives not only in our memory, but deep down in the affections of the people who knew him. And why was it? There must surely be some great reason ? Why do we hear such sentiments as those expressed by the native gentleman just now—that there have been no more come after him like him. Well might it hare caused petty feeling in the mind of a jealous successor, but I endorse every word that was'said. (Applause.) They were plain truths. There has been no man to compare with him among us. I do not say he was faultless ; far from it, but I say he had qualities which will make his life for ever illustrious in this to-be-great country, and therefore you, my Lord, have done well, and we have done well in coming here and unveiling his countenance and presenting his lineaments to the colonists of the future—we have done well to-day in thus honoring the memory of a great man. What then' in reality were some of the great qualities upon which such lasting affection and such words of high encomium are given? Ladies and gentlemen, he was a man—inasmuch as he had undaunted courage. That did not require the testimony of General Chute, however great and excellent a general was General Chute; and we knew whe,n he was here that we had a gallant soldier with us. But we did not require his testimony. We knew Dr. Eeatherston was a brave man during the whole 35 years he lived amongst us. The whole of his life was one act of courage. He had also another great quality—he was an unselfish man. He was at the beck of everybody to render services at his own cost. To quote the words of one of the greatest historians who ever lived, used 2400 years ago in respect of a public man who has never been sufficiently estimated —a man who was the ornament of the greatest country which at that time existed, and this at the very height of civilisation. In speaking of this great man—Pericles—the historian said, "He was unbribable by gifts;" and so we may say of the great man whose bust wc have been unveiling. (Applause.) I have given sufficient reasons why this great man occupied the high position lie did, and why wc have met here to-day to do our best to honor the memory of Dr. Featherston.

His Excellency having acknowledged the thanks, withdrew, cheers being given for his Excellency and the Misses Featherston. The bust was then viewed by an immense number of people, everyone who had known the late Dr. Featherston expressing admiration at the manner in which Signori Del Sauo and' Vescovi had reproduced his features and expression of countenance.